Katie Meets Tree

Alas...the new digital camera has been purchased, but we haven't synched it to the computer just yet. However, we are back online with a quick video of Katie and our Christmas tree. She was a little grumpy, but she's never met a tree that she didn't like. Honestly! She gets very excited over all forms of shrubbery. She about near combusted when she saw the tree at Mass this morning. Rumor has it that her Uncle Greg bought a 16 foot tree this year. We fear she may not make it back from Pennsylvania.

On Dasher, On Dancer...

Kate seems to be channeling Santa and his "sleigh" in this picture from last weekend. Sorry for the old pic...it seems like our digital camera is dying a slow and painful death. Each day it gets worse and worse. I suppose it's time for us to get a new one. Not sure when we'll be able to post a new picture again.

In other news, the little one is extremely close to being able to say two new words, in addition to "mama." She's just one consonant away from both "book" and "ball." So, who will win this battle - Mom (book) or Dad (ball)??

Best Buds

Isn't this picture so cute? Kate is pictured with her friend Sam, who was born just 6 days before her. They have been playing together at least once or twice a week since last spring at playgroups. Katie, Sam, and the rest of the playgroup crew are starting to get to an age where they actually pay attention to each other. Sometimes they play nice passing toys back and forth. Other times...there is a lot of eye poking, kicking, sitting on each other's laps, crawling over each other, etc. All of the moms (and dad) get quite a kick out of the pandemonium.

The White Stuff

Our area got its first "substantial" snowfall of the year. (And, by substantial, we mean about an inch or two.) Katie didn't seem to mind during our walk this afternoon. In fact, she spent half the walk sucking and eating the snow off of what had accumulated on her gloves and coat. (Yes, this kid will put anything in her mouth.)

Katie wanted to send a special first birthday shout-out to her buddy Ellie. Ellie and her parents have been through a lot this year so this occasion deserves lots of best wishes!

And One More to Grow...

Our little one turns 11 months today! Only one more month until the big 0-1.... With her healthy appetite, she's still growing like a weed. In fact, she's so proud of her buddha belly that she continuously pounds on it. She's also taken up clapping...probably in anticipation for the big showdown between the Steelers and Patriots this weekend. (Go Black and Gold!) Even though she cannot say any real words yet, she continuously amazes us with what she understands. She can point out many things, including Geno, "tree," "books," and "bottle." Any guesses on what her first word will be?

Getting Colder

It was a chilly, blustery day today and reminded us of the Chicago wind we thought we'd left behind. Anyhow, keeping with the chilled theme, here are some pictures from Michigan over the Thanksgiving holiday (better late than never). Kate got all bundled up for some playtime in the front yard. She wouldn't move an inch at first, but then livened up when she saw her most prized possession these days...LEAVES!

Cousins Ben and Tom got in on some of the playtime (after finishing putting out Grandma's Christmas lights and throwing the football around).
However, Kate was soon horrified when the two scoundrels destroyed her well-manicured collection of maple leaves...

Basket Traveler

Katie has always enjoyed playing in the piles of freshly washed laundry, but now she's taken her fun to a new level. She got a free ride downstairs this morning in her own little basket-cockpit. And it's become her preferred method of transportation. First, it was gasoline at $3.00 per gallon. Now we have to worry about detergent!